Latvia gender imbalance drives demand for handyman services

Latvia is experiencing a significant demographic imbalance, with the female population exceeding the male population by 15.5%, according to Eurostat data. This gap is notably higher than the European Union average and becomes even more pronounced in older age groups; for those aged 65 and over, the number of women is approximately double that of men.

This gender disparity has led to the rise of a service colloquially known as “hourly husbands.” Despite the name, the service is not for romantic companionship but rather for technical and physical labor. Through platforms like Komanda24 and Remontdarbi.lv, women hire skilled workers to perform tasks traditionally associated with men, such as plumbing, carpentry, furniture assembly, wall painting, and mounting televisions.

The demographic shift is also impacting social dynamics. Reports indicate that women in certain sectors find it difficult to meet male partners, leading some to seek relationships abroad. Experts attribute the lower male population partly to shorter average life expectancy for men in the country.